The Food and Agriculture Organization wants to mobilize $70 million to curb Desert Locust invasion in East Africa, with particular focus on Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya, where the pests have already destroyed hundreds of thousands of acres of crops.

While the authorities in the affected countries have already started control activities, these actions may not be sufficient in the long term given the magnitude of the threat and the insufficient financial support, FAO said.

“Additional financial backing from the international donor community is needed to enable governments to access tools and resources to implement control operations. FAO is ready to use its expertise to facilitate a coordinated regional response,” said Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the UN agency. 

According to FAO, in addition to the already affected countries in the region, Uganda and southern Sudan are at risk, from their borders with Ethiopia and Kenya. The international body says Kenya has not faced a locust threat of this magnitude in 70 years.